Costco’s new food court meal is drawing Chick-fil-A comparisons
Costco's Latest Food Court Offering Sparks Comparisons to Chick-fil-A
Costco s new food court meal - Following a trial period that began in select locations back in May, Costco has officially launched its newest food court addition across all warehouses nationwide. The highly anticipated chicken tenders meal has finally arrived for members to enjoy, bringing with it a wave of social media buzz and comparisons to one of America's favorite fast-food chains.
What's Included in the New Meal
For just $6.99, customers receive a generous basket containing five chicken tenders accompanied by a substantial portion of dipping sauce. According to numerous videos that have been circulating across social media platforms, this meal packs a surprising 1,640 calories per serving. The combination of crispy tenders and rich sauce has caught the attention of food enthusiasts everywhere.
The tenders themselves have generated considerable excitement among shoppers. In an Instagram post, the popular influencer account Costcoguide shared her experience, noting that the tenders are "literally" the size of her head. This generous sizing aligns with Costco's reputation for offering substantial portions that deliver real value to members.
The Chick-fil-A Connection
What has truly captured the internet's attention is the sauce situation. A large portion of dipping sauce comes alongside the tenders, and social media users have been quick to draw parallels with Chick-fil-A's beloved condiments. Costcoguide mentioned that the sauce reminds her specifically of Chick-fil-A's honey barbecue variety.
Meanwhile, another well-known food influencer known as The Sushi Guy, or Photogami, took things a step further by creating his own custom recipe. He envisioned combining three parts Chick-fil-A honey mustard with one part of Chick-fil-A's signature sauce to recreate what he believes would be the perfect pairing for Costco's new offering.
What Social Media Is Saying
Reactions on both Costcoguide's and Photogami's social media posts have been notably divided. Some followers are eagerly anticipating trying the tenders themselves, while others remain skeptical about whether the meal will meet expectations. The comments section has become a battleground of opinions.
"Ummmm I want some!!!" wrote one enthusiastic user.
"Oh nooo! Something I might actually like," wrote another, capturing the mixed feelings many consumers are experiencing.
One commenter went so far as to call the tenders the "bomb.com," while another speculated that Costco might be targeting "protein conscious gym bros" with this offering, even though they conceded the tenders "look yummy."
Real Customer Experiences
Not everyone has been convinced by the hype. Some shoppers have shared less favorable experiences after trying the new meal. One person commented, "These are a miss unfortunately. Too dry, salty…Rare Costco L," suggesting that this might be one of Costco's occasional missteps.
"Got some today –– first tender was really tasty but the rest were stringy and one was super dense and off putting," said another customer, adding that it "Can't compare to the (hot) dawg."
Another shopper initially believed their experience might have been a one-off occurrence until they began reading through other people's comments. "I thought the ones at my Costco were salty and dry," they explained, "but from the comments it looks like it's the same across."
Costco has long been celebrated for its generous pizza and hot dog meals, and the new chicken tenders appear to be attempting to live up to that storied reputation. Whether they succeed will ultimately depend on individual taste preferences and expectations. As more members try the meal, the conversation around this new food court addition is sure to continue evolving.
Drew Pittock covers national trending news for USA TODAY. He can be reached at DPittock@usatodayco.com.